June 27, 2021 AsktheBuilder Newsletter
I can tell by the smile on your face that you're new here. How exciting to get your first issue of my newsletter! I recommend we dance to celebrate. CLICK or TAP HERE to see what song is swirling around in my head! It should make you feel pretty happy.
That said, you may remember another song I shared a while back. It's a duet that might flood you with lots of dreamy memories of when you were a little younger. It does for me, that's for sure! CLICK or TAP HERE and take a few deep breaths.
"It Didn't WORK!"
A few days ago, I got an email from a woman claiming my Stain Solver didn't get algae off her exterior cedar shakes after two attempts at using the product. She was pretty frustrated.
I'm sharing this because there are two teaching moments in this situation. This same scenario plays itself out each day thousands of times with countless products. Heck, you may even have been upset when some product you bought didn't work as advertised.
Her last sentence was, "...I ended up cleaning it with straight bleach."
OUCH!
In your opinion, what was the first thing she did wrong? Think a moment before you settle on your answer.
In my opinion, she didn't STOP and jump on the phone to call us for help after it didn't work the FIRST TIME. She immediately blamed the product, when it could have been an oversight on her part. Based on my experience, I'm sure she was not using the Stain Solver the way I show in all the Stain Solver videos.
When you have a problem with any product, STOP using it and either CALL the manufacturer or visit their website to see if there are better instructions than what's on the label, how-to videos, etc. Don't be so quick to pull the trigger on the product being bad.
In the case of Stain Solver, there are thousands of homeowners who have used it to make their cedar shakes look BRAND NEW. I've cleaned thousands of square feet of cedar with it so I know it works.
Here's the second teaching moment. Why is bleach - chlorine bleach - bad for wood? Well, if you saw the photo she sent me of her RUINED cedar, you'd never even think of splashing it on wood. Her cleaned cedar, which is supposed to be a stunning reddish-brown, is now WHITE as a ghost. Frustration when mixed with a dash of obstinateness is the recipe for bad jujumagumbo!
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Fun Rechargeable Batteries Quiz
Did you know that there are enough disposable one-time-use AA batteries THROWN AWAY each year that if put end to end they'd circle our Earth Ball just about three times? Are you one of these people adding to the 235 tons of batteries THROWN AWAY EACH DAY?
Do you purchase normal AA or AAA alkaline batteries for things in your home or business? Have you ever done a price comparison between alkaline batteries vs rechargeable ones? What about the chargers? Are there big differences in chargers?
I urge you to take this really short fast fun quiz to see what you know or don't know about rechargeable batteries. I'm in the process of reviewing some of the BEST rechargeable batteries I know of and will report my findings SOON. CLICK or TAP HERE to take the fun quiz.
Bogus Invention Claim
A few days ago, I received the following email from Rusten:
"I'd like your thoughts on a new invention to keep rain water out of people's basements."
He also included a link to a website showing this new invention.
Having a degree in geology with a focus in hydrogeology - the study of groundwater - I'm a sucker for anything that might help STOP water from going into basements.
Well, I went to the website and was stunned to see a silly hinged downspout diverter that flops down when rainwater flows down the downspout. The aluminum channel goes down like a castle drawbridge and DUMPS the water 3 feet from your home.
This is NOT THE WAY to STOP water from entering a basement. No way. No how.
CLICK or TAP HERE to see how to STOP WATER from entering your basement or crawlspace.
That's enough for a Sunday.
If you get up early on the East Coast and are reading this, I'll be outside in a portable screened shelter on my amateur radio. This weekend is the annual Field Day.
I've set an ambitious goal and will try to make contact with no less than 150 other operators in a 24-hour period. I'll be using just 5 watts of transmitting power, my radio will be powered by a 12 Ah battery, and a solar panel will be charging the battery.
That's the point of Field Day - to get out in the field and practice using all your radio equipment under emergency conditions. It's easy to stay in a shack and do radio. It's quite another thing to be in a cage fight with bugs, the heat, and possible rain storms.
That's why the primary sell line of ham radio is:
When all else FAILS...
Yes, some of us operators know how to get outside, setup communications, and save lives and property using our own personal equipment. CLICK or TAP HERE to see how I train to do this each year.
Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Pre-Sale NEXT WEEK - www.StainSolver.com
Field Day - www.W3ATB.com
Do It Right, Not Over!
P.S. Tell me, do you think you know the right way to connect a deck post to a pier? My guess is, no. CLICK or TAP HERE to see if you were right.